How to do it? 4yrs, 2yrs, newborn.

Hello there mamas, Im a SAHM since my 1st boy (4yrsold). Then we had our second(2yrsold) and currently expecting #3 in about a week. I'm becoming very scared and would like some advise. My husband works from 4pm to 11pm so I put the kids down to sleep at night. They cosleep with me. We wake up at 8:00am and go to bed at 9:00am. My 4 yo falls asleep in 5 minutes if hes with me otherwise he stays up. My 2 yo, i have to sing to him and rub his belly, he sleeps after an hour of doing this... Sometimes I fall asleep first. And every little noise he gets up. He also gets up 1 or 2 times at night. During the day I have to cook all meals from scratch because 2yo has multiple food allergies. And do all the chores at home. I dont drive so we stay home all day. Now with a newborn I'm gonna be so sleepy during the day and most likely going to be grumpy. And there might not be a break because I'm going to breastfeed. How should i do it? Any advise is appreciated.

Hello there mamas, Im a SAHM since my 1st boy (4yrsold). Then we had our second(2yrsold) and currently expecting #3 in about a week. I'm becoming very scared and would like some advise. My husband works from 4pm to 11pm so I put the kids down to sleep at night. They cosleep with me. We wake up at 8:00am and go to bed at 9:00am. My 4 yo falls asleep in 5 minutes if hes with me otherwise he stays up. My 2 yo, i have to sing to him and rub his belly, he sleeps after an hour of doing this... Sometimes I fall asleep first. And every little noise he gets up. He also gets up 1 or 2 times at night. During the day I have to cook all meals from scratch because 2yo has multiple food allergies. And do all the chores at home. I dont drive so we stay home all day. Now with a newborn I'm gonna be so sleepy during the day and most likely going to be grumpy. And there might not be a break because I'm going to breastfeed. How should i do it? Any advise is appreciated.

I have been in your shoes. First things first....do NOT put a lot of pressure on yourself to do it all. Feel free to let the unimportant things slide. Does your 2yo have a bed of his own? If so, have you thought about letting him CIO? And by CIO I don't mean letting him cry for hours on end. I do the bed time routine, lay them down and close the door. The first night I go in every 5 minutes and sh-sh them and rub their belly and then leave. I continue to go in every 5 minutes until they fall asleep. The next night it's every 10 minutes. The night after that, 20 minutes. I've done it will all 3 of mine with 100% success. Just know, you can do it. Every day, week, month gets easier and soon you won't know any different. Good luck to you an congrats on #3!

I have been in your shoes. First things first....do NOT put a lot of pressure on yourself to do it all. Feel free to let the unimportant things slide. Does your 2yo have a bed of his own? If so, have you thought about letting him CIO? And by CIO I don't mean letting him cry for hours on end. I do the bed time routine, lay them down and close the door. The first night I go in every 5 minutes and sh-sh them and rub their belly and then leave. I continue to go in every 5 minutes until they fall asleep. The next night it's every 10 minutes. The night after that, 20 minutes. I've done it will all 3 of mine with 100% success. Just know, you can do it. Every day, week, month gets easier and soon you won't know any different. Good luck to you an congrats on #3!

i agree with pp. if the 2 yr old wakes up with every little noise h e needs to be in.his own bed. otherwise lo will have him up all night. i would also put a fan in his room. i do this for my lo as he is a light sleeper the fan makes that white noise and it covers up alot of noise the household makes during naps. in the winter i put the fan backwards rright against the wall so it isn't blowing cold air. second suggestion would be to pick a "cooking day" and make all meals for the week and freeze them so you just have to pop them on the oven/ microwave. would save you tons of time. third would be to take walks if you do not drive get a dbl stroller for the younger two ad let the older ne ride his bike. you will alpl feel better getting putts the house. hth

i agree with pp. if the 2 yr old wakes up with every little noise h e needs to be in.his own bed. otherwise lo will have him up all night. i would also put a fan in his room. i do this for my lo as he is a light sleeper the fan makes that white noise and it covers up alot of noise the household makes during naps. in the winter i put the fan backwards rright against the wall so it isn't blowing cold air. second suggestion would be to pick a "cooking day" and make all meals for the week and freeze them so you just have to pop them on the oven/ microwave. would save you tons of time. third would be to take walks if you do not drive get a dbl stroller for the younger two ad let the older ne ride his bike. you will alpl feel better getting putts the house. hth

I'm a sahm and we have a 12 yo, 9yo, and 4 month old id twins.. My husband works 7 days a week anywhere from 10-14 hrs a day.... So I'm in charge of everything and if he is home hes so tired it's a shower and bed for him... and we commute 45 min one way to private academy, and I'm also ebf the twins.... So it's very tough... But it's doable.

I'm a sahm and we have a 12 yo, 9yo, and 4 month old id twins.. My husband works 7 days a week anywhere from 10-14 hrs a day.... So I'm in charge of everything and if he is home hes so tired it's a shower and bed for him... and we commute 45 min one way to private academy, and I'm also ebf the twins.... So it's very tough... But it's doable.

I had the same problem with my 2 year old she was waking up several times threw the night and was sleeping with me I got her a toddler bed about it on our room I would put her in it when she fell asleep then started asking her to get in it and lay down there was some fussing for about a month and now she prefers her bed I eventually moved it to her own room and shes been there ever since.....going strong for 3 months now with since I didnt want this to happen again with my 10 month old I've been putting him in his own room on his own bed from the beginning.....now when it's bed time all I have to do is lay him down in his bed and he goes tight to sleep.......morale of the story its hard and existing but you just got do it or you will never get any sleep :( good luck girl

I had the same problem with my 2 year old she was waking up several times threw the night and was sleeping with me I got her a toddler bed about it on our room I would put her in it when she fell asleep then started asking her to get in it and lay down there was some fussing for about a month and now she prefers her bed I eventually moved it to her own room and shes been there ever since.....going strong for 3 months now with since I didnt want this to happen again with my 10 month old I've been putting him in his own room on his own bed from the beginning.....now when it's bed time all I have to do is lay him down in his bed and he goes tight to sleep.......morale of the story its hard and existing but you just got do it or you will never get any sleep :( good luck girl

Hi, I have 3 children under 5 I understand your concern. I too make most meals fresh, but my lo's all sleep in there own beds. If mommy doesn't sleep then who is going to run the house? I agree with pp get them prepared now.The first 3 months are a challenge. Do you have friends or Church that someone can come over with bowls of cut fruit or meals that they could eat?It took 4 months for me to get into a routine again with God's help and lots of prayer!I hope you find some encouraging replies congrats on the new baby

Hi, I have 3 children under 5 I understand your concern. I too make most meals fresh, but my lo's all sleep in there own beds. If mommy doesn't sleep then who is going to run the house? I agree with pp get them prepared now.The first 3 months are a challenge. Do you have friends or Church that someone can come over with bowls of cut fruit or meals that they could eat?It took 4 months for me to get into a routine again with God's help and lots of prayer!I hope you find some encouraging replies congrats on the new baby

I have 2yo twins, a 4mo and just found out I'm preg w a surprise baby. My husband works long hrs in law enforcement. I agree w the folks who suggest that if mama doesnt sleep, then things dont go well. Can you move the 4yo and 2yo into a room together? Then they wont be alone entirely but you'll have your own space. We have a box fan in our kiddos room to drown out noises. They have a nightlight, they have baby einsten aquariums in their beds that they can turn on if they want an extra light or to look @ a book as they fall asleep. My kids go to bed extremely early-630-7pm but they play in their beds for awhile & wind down before I hear all the noise stop. This gives me time in the evening to either get things done, wind down myself or just go to sleep! I get up way before the kids do-they get up at 7-I get up at 4, in order to get laundry, dishes etc done, but I just happen to be a morning person. They also take a nap in the afternoon & I rest for part of that time as well. I hope you find a system that works!

I have 2yo twins, a 4mo and just found out I'm preg w a surprise baby. My husband works long hrs in law enforcement. I agree w the folks who suggest that if mama doesnt sleep, then things dont go well. Can you move the 4yo and 2yo into a room together? Then they wont be alone entirely but you'll have your own space. We have a box fan in our kiddos room to drown out noises. They have a nightlight, they have baby einsten aquariums in their beds that they can turn on if they want an extra light or to look @ a book as they fall asleep. My kids go to bed extremely early-630-7pm but they play in their beds for awhile & wind down before I hear all the noise stop. This gives me time in the evening to either get things done, wind down myself or just go to sleep! I get up way before the kids do-they get up at 7-I get up at 4, in order to get laundry, dishes etc done, but I just happen to be a morning person. They also take a nap in the afternoon & I rest for part of that time as well. I hope you find a system that works!

Thank you all ladies for taking the time to read and reply to my post. I'm gonna start my boys in the same room tonight. I'll get my 4yo first because he falls asleep fast then I'll put my 2yo after and check on him every 5 minutes. It so happens that I put him in his bed for a nap today and he fell asleep alot faster when i explained to him what i wanted from him, than what i usually do, get in bed with him and sing, rub his belly and answer to his questions. I know it's going to take a week or maybe alot more but I'm sure it's gonna be worth it. Thanks for the advise.

Thank you all ladies for taking the time to read and reply to my post. I'm gonna start my boys in the same room tonight. I'll get my 4yo first because he falls asleep fast then I'll put my 2yo after and check on him every 5 minutes. It so happens that I put him in his bed for a nap today and he fell asleep alot faster when i explained to him what i wanted from him, than what i usually do, get in bed with him and sing, rub his belly and answer to his questions. I know it's going to take a week or maybe alot more but I'm sure it's gonna be worth it. Thanks for the advise.

You know it sounds crazy but your two year old will learn to sleep through the baby. It will take a month or so but eventually he will be so tired that he will sleep through it or roll over and fall back to sleep. My son is exactly the same. He wakes to every little noise. I started making noise on purpose when I knew he was the most tired. I kiss all over his face and talk to him and taught him to fall back to sleep or ironed me. I also got tired of co sleeping so Jo placed his mattress on my floor next to my bed. I started by laying with him until he was asleep then getting in my own bed. He usually jumps in our bed in the early morning but some nights sleeps entirely in his own bed. If I hear him stirring I just pat his back and tell him to go back to sleep. It's working great. Although sounds like you don't have that much time. I think he will just have to adjust.

You know it sounds crazy but your two year old will learn to sleep through the baby. It will take a month or so but eventually he will be so tired that he will sleep through it or roll over and fall back to sleep. My son is exactly the same. He wakes to every little noise. I started making noise on purpose when I knew he was the most tired. I kiss all over his face and talk to him and taught him to fall back to sleep or ironed me. I also got tired of co sleeping so Jo placed his mattress on my floor next to my bed. I started by laying with him until he was asleep then getting in my own bed. He usually jumps in our bed in the early morning but some nights sleeps entirely in his own bed. If I hear him stirring I just pat his back and tell him to go back to sleep. It's working great. Although sounds like you don't have that much time. I think he will just have to adjust.

All good advice! I have 4 and 2 year old boys and a 4 month old baby girl. Just found out that we are expecting #4...due just 4 days after my daughter's 1st birthday. :) Honestly, I found bringing home #3 has been a breeze compared to bringing home #2. The older boys totally take off and entertain each other and I am left to do my thing. As far as bedtime...start a new routine (bath, tooth brushing book) lay them down and walk out. If he gets up say, "it's bedtime", calmly take him back and lay him back down. Do it over and over until he wears himself out and crashes. It may keep the whole house awake the first couple of nights but will be so worth it down the line. :) They will learn very quickly to sleep through baby. Good luck!

All good advice! I have 4 and 2 year old boys and a 4 month old baby girl. Just found out that we are expecting #4...due just 4 days after my daughter's 1st birthday. :) Honestly, I found bringing home #3 has been a breeze compared to bringing home #2. The older boys totally take off and entertain each other and I am left to do my thing. As far as bedtime...start a new routine (bath, tooth brushing book) lay them down and walk out. If he gets up say, "it's bedtime", calmly take him back and lay him back down. Do it over and over until he wears himself out and crashes. It may keep the whole house awake the first couple of nights but will be so worth it down the line. :) They will learn very quickly to sleep through baby. Good luck!

Ask people for help. It isn't easy to do, but have people cook your recipes... Vacuum for you... Do the laundry. People understand how hard it can be. If you do not have anyone to ask you can hire a postpartum doula.

Ask people for help. It isn't easy to do, but have people cook your recipes... Vacuum for you... Do the laundry. People understand how hard it can be. If you do not have anyone to ask you can hire a postpartum doula.

i currently have five kids 9,7,2,1 and my newborn three weeks. The 2 and 1 year old have set naps which helps alot they nap at same time. I try to clean what i can and i cook i also breastfeed the baby. I can say its wearing but it seems to get better each day.

i currently have five kids 9,7,2,1 and my newborn three weeks. The 2 and 1 year old have set naps which helps alot they nap at same time. I try to clean what i can and i cook i also breastfeed the baby. I can say its wearing but it seems to get better each day.

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